Ava Churyk, 8, checks out a telescope to observe sun spots at the 32nd annual Family Nature Day at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield.Laurie Gabaordi - Register Citizen

LITCHFIELD >> The White Memorial Conservation Center, celebrating its 100th year, held the 32nd annual Family Nature Day on Saturday, a nature festival with over forty activities which welcomed over 1,000 locals last year.

“We have tons of live animal programs. We have kids crafts, we have guided walks, we have demonstrations, we have a craft fair,” Lois Melaragno, gift shop manager and administrative assistant said. “[It’s] just what it says. So people can come out and have fun with nature.”

Horse-drawn wagon rides were held throughout the day, local artisans, a bake sale and a variety food options were offered for those in attendance. All for a single dollar at the gate.

Al Avitabile, one arm covered in bees, spouted information to bystanders about his buzzing, stinging friends while elsewhere a fly fishing demonstration was held by Dr. Frank Schildgen, a tree identification walk was led by Jeff Greenwood and a pond investigation was headed by Marlow Shami.

“It’s pretty. They have a ton of things to do,” Jennifer Ryan of Goshen, who was attending for the second time, said. “It’s a great time for kids of all different ages and for families.”

Joanne Woodington of White Memorial helped attendees take “a wick and they dip it into the wax and they walk around, let it cool and it makes a candle.” Woodington later helped children make ‘nature necklaces.’

Joe Dougherty, of Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club, had two telescopes on hand, an 80mm and an eight inch, allowing people to gaze up at the sky.

“You’re looking through a telescope at the sun and it’s showing right now two sun spots which are solar storms,” he said. “They’re different colors, dark because they’re different temperatures on the surface of the sun.”

There was live music throughout the day for the many attendees and a presentation on Riverside Reptiles in the Mott Van Winkle Classroom later in the day. The White Memorial museum itself was open to the public throughout the day.

“It’s really nice. Lots of stuff going on and animals and the kids are having a lot of fun,” Don Ruppel of Bethlehem said.

The White Memorial Conservation Center is located at 80 Whitehall Road in Litchfield.